OSF

Operational Support Flyer

Know The Rules

CCATT

The official OSF: Know The Rules information packet may be downloaded below. This information packet is in the process of being updated; however, the guidance set forth within is still applicable until the updated version is released.

HISTORY

On 1 October 2002, Critical Care Air Transport Team (CCATT) members became eligible to participate in flying activities under the designation of “Operational Support Flier” (OSF). Operational support flying applies to non-aircrew personnel required to perform temporary in-flight duties, on an occasional to frequent basis, which cannot be accomplished by rated or non-rated aircrew members assigned to the aircraft’s crew complement. This new designation will also enable CCATTs to quality for hazardous duty incentive pay (HDIP), if certain conditions are met.

It is very important that all CCATT POCs and team members become quite familiar with the requirements of AFI 11-401 Aviation Management; and applicable portions of AFI 11-402 Aviation and Parachutist Service, Aeronautical Ratings and Badges. These instructions set the procedures for managing Air Force flying resources and provide guidance for administering personnel flight management programs. Copies of these regulations or documentation citing reference to these regulations should be included in your local CCATT management files.

In order for CCATT members to qualify for OSF status, specific requirements must be met. First, CCATT members must have successfully completed the CCATT Basic Course at the SAF School of Aerospace Medicine. Second, they must have a current AF Form 1042, Medical Recommendation for Flying or Special Operational Duty. Third, they must complete the 2-day altitude chamber qualification (AF Form 702, Individual Physiologic Training Record). CCATT members who have completed the CCATT Basic Course, but have not had the appropriate physical and the 2-day altitude chamber course are not eligible for OSF until those requirements are met.

Getting those members who quality for OSF status on an Aeronautical Order (AO) is the next step. AOs authorize members to perform frequent and regular flights. Unit-level CCATT POCs should contact and visit their local base Host Aviation Resource Management (HARM) Office to coordinate with them on the specific procedures required to create and maintain flight records, and to place members on AOs. Generally, an Aeronautical Order Request may be submitted for a particular individual or even a group of individuals, but recognize that local requirements/procedures may differ slightly from base to base. CCATT personnel identified to be placed on AOs should physically go to the HARM office to provide their documentation. All documentation must be provided before being authorized to fly in OSF status; anything prior will not be counted as an OSF flight. Included on this website is an Individual Checklist for CCATT Missions that contains important information and tips, every CCATT member should have a copy of the checklist. Your local HARM office personnel are the experts and they will assist and guide CCATT POCs and CCATT members through the AO process.

OSF AOs are only good for a single 30-day period – this is just inherent in the computer application the HARM office uses. New AOs must be published every 30 days for those members who need to be on AOs for extended periods. If members are to be deployed for longer than 30-days, they should get with the HARM office before deploying to work out how, and when, they will receive their AOs for subsequent 30-day periods over the course of the deployment.

In order to qualify for hazardous duty incentive pay for any particular month, CCATT members must fly a minimum of 4 hours of "Primary" flight time within that month. CCATTs are authorized to log "Primary" flight time only when actually performing their specific in-flight duties. Meaning, "Primary" time can only be logged when actually caring for critical care patients on-board the aircraft. Operational support flying is only approved for aeromedical evacuation missions with critical care patients on board that require CCATT expertise. Thus, an actual (not simulated) critical care patient must be on board the aircraft to log "Primary" time. When not performing duties, CCATTs will log "other" time. (Ref: AFI 11-401 Chapter 3 para 3.3.5)

As stated in AFI 11-402, para 6.3.1, OSF members normally perform their primary AFSC duties and are already qualified in same; therefore, they do not normally have in-flight aircrew training requirements and do not log time for training, with one exception: OSF members authorized to perform in-flight medical support duties associated with operating equipment (i.e., CCATTs) may log one man-month (as many missions needed in that month to reach minimum required hours) per quarter for the purpose of training on that equipment, providing the CCAT team did notify a real-world mission in that quarter. This would be annotated on the reverse side of the AFTO Form 781. Others may obtain access to an aircraft on the ground for the purpose of simulation training. Another method of obtaining familiarity with the flying environment, would be non-interference flying Aeronautical Orders IAW AFI 11-401 and AMC SUP 1; flying incentive pay is NOT authorized for familiarization flights.